Coin receptacle



March 8, 1960 J. 5. SUDLER COIN RECEPTACLE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 4 Filed may 31, 1956 INVENTOR. JAMES 5. SUDLER A TTORNEY J. S. SUDLER COIN RECEPTACLE March 8, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 31, 1956 INVENTOIR.

JAMES 5T SUDLER A TTOR/VE Y March 8, 1960 J. s. SUDLER COIN RECEPTACLE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 31, 1956 INVENTOR. JAMES S. SUDLEI? BY United States Patent COIN RECEPTACLE James S. Sudler, Denver, 0010.

Application May '31, 1956, Serial No. 588,399

14 Claims. ((1206-58) This invention'relates to receptacles for coins and the like, such as coin cups which are utilized in connection with change making devices and coin trays which may be placed on a counter or the like, so that coins constituting such change may be placed in the cup or tray and more readily picked up by the person who is to receive the change.

Receptacles for coins and the like, such as coin cups and coin trays, have generally been formed as hollow bodies formed as spherical segments, or truncated spherical segments. Thus, coin trays normally comprise a hollow body corresponding to a segment up to one-half of a sphere, while coin cups, used with change making devices, normally comprise a hollow body having an inner surface corresponding to up to one-fourth of a sphere. However, the deeper the interior of such a hollow body, the more readily will coins deposited therein be retained within the same, but the more difiicult it is for a person to pick coins up or out of such a receptacle. Thus, if the receptacle is made shallower, difficulties are produced in causing the coins to be retained therein, particularly when discharged into the receptacle from a chute leading from a coin changing device. Also, if the receptacle is made deeper to produce readier retention of the coins, then it is more diflicult to remove the coins from the receptacle.

Among the objects of this invention are to provide a novel receptacle for coins and the like; to provide such a receptacle which may exist in more than one form, including a receptacle particularly adapted to be used as a coin cup in connection with change making devices and a receptacle particularly adapted to be used as a coin tray for use on a counter or the like; to provide such a receptacle which may have sufficient depth that coins are readily retained therein, but has a configuration such that coins are readily removed therefrom; to provide such a receptacle from which, in one form, coins are especially adapted to be removed by a person posi tioned at one side thereof, and another form from which coins are easily removed by a person positioned at the opposite side thereof; to provide such a receptacle from which coins may be easily removed therefrom by either hand of a person; and to provide such a receptacle which is readily constructed of different but suitable materials.

The foregoing and additional objects of this invention, as well as the novel features thereof, will become apparent from the description which follows, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the installation of a receptacle constructed in accordance with this invention in conjunction with a change making device;

I Fig. 2 is a perspective view, taken from a difierent position, of the receptacle of Fig. 1;

'Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the receptacle of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the receptacle of Fig. 1, with a fragmentary portion of the supporting structure shown in section;

ice

Fig. 5 is an oblique vertical section, taken along line- 55 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section, taken along line 6,6..

of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is an oblique, vertical section, taken along line' 77 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is an oblique front elevation of a receptacle forming an additional embodiment of this invention and particularly adapted to be used as a coin tray, as for placement on a counter or the like;

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of the Ill--10 of Fig. 9; Fig. 11 is an oblique vertical section, taken along line 1111 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is an oblique rear elevation of a receptacle forming a further embodiment of this invention and particularly adapted to be placed on a counter or the like and also connected with ,a change making device;

Fig. 13 is a top plan view of the receptacle of Fig.,12;.

cashiers desk of a hotel, restaurant, store or the like; The receptacle R may be mounted in a panel 10 which maybe formed of asuitable material, such as wood or metal, or maybe.

or at any other desired place.

formed of a transparent or translucentmaterial, such as plastic.

which may be connected with a chute 12 of receptacle R, chute. lz being preferably closed at the top and extending rearwardly from receptacle R. As will be evi,-; dent, coins discharged from the change making device C will roll or slide down'chute 11 and thence through chute. 12 into receptacle R, normally coming to reston.

the .preferably concave bottom 13 of the latter. 'As" shown particularly in Figs. 1, 2 and, 6, receptacle R,

when supported in upright position, as shown; is pro-1 videdwith a longer front edge 14 and a shorter front;

edge 15 which extend angularly from each side to 21 preferably curved merging edge portion 16. Preferably, the general angularity of the shorter edge 15 is greater. than the general angularity of the longer edge 14, each with respect to a; line 50 of Fig. 6 drawn between the points of intersection of a rear wall 20 with the edges 1'4 and 15. While edges 14 and 15 may each extend in a straight line, either or both may be slightly curved or slightly concave on the inside, as shown, particularlyfor the shorter edge 15. The forward extremity of recep-' tacle R, i.e., the merging portion 16 of the edges 14 and '15, is preferably spaced sufliciently forwardly, as in Fig. 4, that a person removing coins from the receptacle may readily place the fingers of one hand in the receptacle, over the shorter edge 15.

. As in Figs. 3, 5 and 7, a front wall 17, which extends between edge 14 and bottom 13, may extend sharply downwardly, while a front wall 18, which extends betweenedge 15 and bottom 13, may curve inwardly and downwardly, with the front walls 17 and 18 merging in an interiorly concave portion 19, as in Figs. 1 and 6, to pro.-

vide a relatively smooth surface on the inside. Thus, thev general angle of inclination of front wall 18, with respect to the horizontal, is preferably less than the general angle of inclination of the front Wall 17, The longer-front; edge 14 is preferably disposed at the left and the; shorter front edge 15 at the right, for use by persons Patented .Man. 8, 196 9.

receptacle of Fig. 8;.- Fig. 10 is an oblique vertical section, taken along line i The receptacle R may be connected withthe. change making device C bya conventional chute 11-,

facing the front of the receptacle, but positioned to the right thereof. Thus, there is adequate lateral space for insertion over edge 15 of the fingers of either hand of the person removing coins from the bottom 13 of the receptacle, while the above described inclination and general curvature of the front wall 18 permits the coins to be moved toward and up wall 18 and removed from the receptacle over the front edge 15. Also, there is sulficic'nt space beneath edge 15 and wall 18 to permit the thumb of the hand used in removing the coins to be placed under the edge, so that the thumb may assume a natural position while the coins are removed by the fingers. In addition, the coins may be removed by use of the finger tips, rather than having to pick up the coins with the finger nails, and this is a particular advantage for persons who do not wish to damage a layer of polish on their finger nails.

A rear wall 20 of the receptacle R may be concave, preferably curving sharply upwardly to the horizontal plane of edges 14 and 15, at which it may be semi-circular, but preferably semi-ellipsoidal, as in Fig. 6. Rear wall 20 may be provided with an'opening 21, conveniently generally rectangular as in Fig. 7, through which coins are discharged from passage 22 of chute 12, opening 21 preferably being toward edge 15 and chute passage 22 being inclined in a direction toward edge 15, so that coins sliding or rolling through chute 12 will be discharged toward wall 18 and will readily come to rest on bottom 13 near wall 18. The inclination of chute passage 22 also tends to cause coins discharged into the receptacle merely to spin around and come to rest at approximately the same place, so that if a number of coins are discharged into the receptacle simultaneously, they will tend to form apile on thebottom of the receptacle, rather than being scattered about. This is also assisted by the concave bottom 13. Rear wall 20, above the plane of edges 14 and 15, may extend upwardly and forwardly, as in Figs. 4, and 7, to a generally vertical edge 23, around which a flange 24 may extend. Conveniently, the highest point of the rear wall 20 may be directly above opening 21, as in Fig. 3, with the vertical edge 23 sloping sharply to the rear of edge 15 and less sharply to the rear of edge 14. Also, a shoulder 25 may extend around the lower portion of the receptacle to provide a ledge for abutment-against the panel 10, as in Fig. 4. Thus, panel maybe provided with an aperture corresponding to the shape of the receptacle immediately behind flange 24 and shoulder 25, while the receptacle may be held in position in asuitable manner, as by a pair of upper ears 26 of Fig. 2, adapted to engage the rear side of panel 10, as; inFig'. 4, and a lower car 27, which maybe threaded to. receive a screw 28- for holding a plate 29 against the rear edge of panel 10 adjacent the aperture therein. It will be understood, of course, that the receptacle R may be mounted on the panel 10 in any other suitable manner, ormay be provided with a base so asto be self-supporting.

As will be evident, the general angularity of the front edge of the receptacle R particularly facilitates the removal of the coins from the receptacle, by either hand of the person removing the coins from the receptacle. The receptacle R may be made of a suitable material, such as. brass, bronze, aluminum, or the like, and may be formed by casting or molding, or may be formed of plastic, ceramic or other non-metallic material, which may be molded. Such a receptacle also may be manufactured or formed by machining metal or wood or other non-metallic material, but such production would normally prove considerably more costly than casting or molding.

The'principles of this invention may also be embodied in a receptacle R, as in Fig. 8, which is adapted to be placed on a counter or the like, for use as a-coin tray in which coins to be received in change may be placed by a cashier or the like for'removal by therecipient. Receptuc'l'e R'is adapted to beplaced in upright position, as in Fig. 8, and may be provided with a wall extending preferably partially therearound, such as formed by a peripheral flange 30 and a flange or abutment 31, the lower edges 32 of which form a base for the receptacle. Flange 30 extends around the rear wall 33 and the longer front wall 17 of receptacle R, between the ends of the abutment 31, which may be inclined outwardly beneath wall 18 and which may be fiat, or may be concave, as indicated in Fig. 9. .As will be evident, abutment 31 provides thumb space beneath edge 15. As in the case of the receptacle R, the receptacle R may be provided with a generally concave bottom 13 and front edges 14 and 15, which merge in a curved portion 16 and which extend generally angularly relative to each other, with edge 14 preferably being longer and edge 15 shorter, as before. A front wall 17, as in Figs. 9 and 11, extends sharply downwardly from edge 14 to bottom 13, while a front wall 18 curves inwardly and downwardly from edge 15 to bottom 13, with the. general inclination of each preferably being similar to that described previously in connection with receptacle R.

The rear wall 33 of the cavity of the receptacle R extends upwardly to a rear edge 34 which is preferably coplanar with front edges 14 and 15 and merges at one side with edge 14 in a curved portion 35 and at the opposite side with edge 15 in a curved portion, 36. The rear wall 33 of the cavity, between edge 34 and bottom 13, may be similar to the lower portion of rear wall 20 of receptacle R of Figs. 1-7. As will be evident, when one or more coins are placed in the receptacle R, they will slide to the bottom 13, from which they can be readily picked up or removed in the manner described before, i.e., by placement of the fingers of either hand over edge 15 and moving the coins on bottom 13' up wall 18 and over edge 15. Preferably, the receptacle R is placed in such a position on the counter or the like so that the person removing the coins will be to the right of the receptacle when facing it.

It will be evident, of course, that the side flange 30 may extend downwardly in spaced positions, so as to support the receptacle adequately in upright position. Also, flange 30 may slant slightly outwardly. In addition, receptacle R may be solid across the bottom, rather than having a cavity extending up into the same, i.e., the space between flange 30 and abutment 31, and the underside of bottom 13 and walls 17, 18 and 33, may be filled in. Receptacle R may also be formed by casting or molding a suitable metal, such as brass, bronze, aluminum or the like, or plastic, ceramic, or other non-metallic material. As will be evident, a receptacle may be made as a mirror image of the receptacles R or R, so that it may be placed in a position to the right of the person removing coins therefrom, i.e., with the edges 14 and 15 disposed at opposite sides from those of receptacles R and R, without afiecting the ability of such a person to remove coins therefrom by placement of the fingers of either hand over the edge 15 and moving the coins up wall 18, forremoval over edge 15. The receptacle R" of Figs. 12-15 may be thus used, being adapted to be placed upon a counter or the like and connected to a coin change device, from which the coins may be fed to receptacle R" through a chute 40 having an open-topped passage 41 terminating in a slot 42 in a rear wall 43, as in Fig. 15, through which the coins will be deposited on the concave bottom 13". Front edges 14 and 15' and merging portion 16,.aswell as front walls 17' and 18 and merging portion 19 may be similar to the corresponding parts of receptacle R or R, but reversed in lateral position. Also, a rear edge 44 may be coplanar with front edges 14 and 15', although it will be understood that rear wall 43 may extend upwardly and inwardly to form a receptacle similar to receptacle R, but a mirror image thereof. Merging edge portions 35" and 36 may similarly be complementary to edge portions 35 and 36 of receptacle R. Also, it will be understood that chute 40 may be omitted, in a manner similar to receptacle R. l

Receptacle R" may be supported in a similar manner, as by a downwardly extending flange 45, which extends beneath rear edge 44 and front edge 14' to a concave, outwardly inclined flange or abutment 46, beneath front edge 15', which thereby provides thumb space beneath edge 15'. The lower edges of flange 45 and abutment 46 rest on a counter or the like, while receptacle R" may be cast or molded from a suitable material, either metallic, such as brass, bronze, aluminum, or the like, or nonmetallic, such as plastic, ceramic, or the like. The flange 45 may also extend downwardly at spaced positions around the periphery of the receptacle R", while the bottom may be solid.

Although different embodiments of this invention have been illustrated and described, it will be understood that other embodiments may exist and that variations and changes may be made therein, all without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. 1

What is claimed is: 1. In a receptacle for coins and the like, a hollow body supportable in an upright position and having a generally concave bottom; a generally concave rear wall; and a longer and a shorter front edge, each of which extends generally in the same substantially horizontal plane and generally angularly from each side to a forward merging position, the general angularity of said shorter edgebeing greater than the general angularity of said longer edge, each with respect to a line drawn between the points of intersection of said rear wall and said front edges; and a wall portion extending from each said edge to the-bottom of said receptacle, the general inclination of said-Wall portion, with respect to the horizontal, between said shorter edge and said bottom being less than between said longer edge and said bottom.

2. In a receptacle for coins and the like, as defined in claim 1, wherein said front edges merge in a generally arcuate portion.

3. In a receptacle for coins and the like, as defined in claim 1, wherein said receptacle is provided with a rear wall opposite said front edges which extends upwardly and then forwardly to a generally vertical edge disposed rearwardly of said front edges.

4. In a receptacle for coins and the like, as defined in claim 1, wherein said receptacle is provided with a chute disposed at the rear thereof and having a passage for coins and the like, connecting with an opening in the rear wall of said receptacle.

5. In a receptacle for coins and the like, as defined in claim 4, wherein said chute passage adjacent said opening is inclined laterally so as to extend in a direction toward said shorter front edge.

6. In a receptacle for coins and the like, as defined in claim 3, including a chute disposed at the rear and having a passage for coins and the like connecting with an opening in the rear wall of said receptacle; and wherein said vertical edge is higher opposite said shorter edge and said chute opening is beneath such higher portion.

7. In a receptacle for coins and the like, as defined in claim 3, wherein said vertical edge is higher opposite said shorter edge.

8. In a receptacle for coins and the like, as defined in claim 1, wherein said receptacle is provided with a rear edge substantially coplanar with said front edge.

9. In a receptacle for coins and the like, as defined in claim 8, including a flange extending generally downwardly from at least the rear edge and a portion of a front edge, for supporting said receptacle on a surface.

10. In a receptacle for coins and the like, as defined in claim 9, wherein said flange extends to an outwardly inclined flange beneath said wall portion connecting said shorter wall portion and said bottom.

11. In a receptacle for coins and the like, a hollow body supportable in an upright position and having a bottom; a rear wall; longer and shorter front edges extend ing generally angularly from each side toa forward merg ing position; and a front wall extendingfrom each said front edge to said bottom, the general inclination of said wall between the longer front edge and said bottom being greater than between the shorter front edge and said bottom, with respect to the horizontal.

12. A receptacle for coins and the like, adapted for use with a change making device having a coin chute extending downwardly therefrom and adapted to be installed in a panel, comprising a hollow body supportable in an upright position and having a generally concave bottomga concave rear wall; a longer and a shorter front edge, each of which extends generally in the same substantially horizontal plane and generally angularly from each side to a forward, curved merging portion, the general angularity of said shorter edge being greater than the general angularity of said longer edge, each with respect. to "aline drawn between the points of intersection of said rear wall and said front edges; a front wall extending from each said edge to the bottom of said receptacle and the general inclination of said wall, relative to the horizontal, between said longer edge and said bottom being greater than between said shorter edge and said bottom and said front wall beneath saidmerging edge portion being concave, said rear wall extending upwardly from said bottom and then upwardly and forwardly to a vertical edge disposed rearwardly of said front edges, said vertical edge being higher adjacent said shorter edge and sloping sharply downwardly thereto and less sharply to the rear of said longer edge, said rear wall having an opening therein opposite said shorter edge; an integral chute provided with an enclosed passage connecting with said opening, said passage adjacent said opening extending in a direction toward said shorter edge and said receptacle chute being adapted to be connected with said chute of said change making device; said receptacle having a flange extending outwardly from said vertical edge and a shoulder extending around the lower portion thereof as a continuation of the inner edge of said flange, so that said flange and shoulder will abut against the edge of an aperture in said panel corresponding to the shape of said receptacle at said flange and shoulder; said receptacle having a pair of upper ears spaced from said flange for engaging the rear of said panel adjacent said aperture and a lower ear spaced from said shoulder; and a plate attached to said lower ear and abutting said panel adjacent the lower edge of said aperture.

13. A receptacle for coins and the like, adapted for placement on a generally horizontal surface, comprising a hollow body supportable in an upright position and having a generally concave bottom; a concave rear wall having a generally semi-ellipsoidal, horizontal rear edge; a longer and a shorter front edge, each of which extends generally in the same substantially horizontal plane as said rear edge and generally angularly from each side to a forward, curved merging portion, the general angularity of said shorter edge being greater than the general angularity of the said longer edge, each with respect to a line drawn between the points of intersection between said rear edges and said front edges; a front wall extending from each said front edge to the bottom of said receptacle and the general inclination of said wall, relative to the horizontal, between said longer edge and said bottom being greater than between said shorter edge and said bottom; and a peripheral flange extending downwardly from and integral with said longer front and rear edges and extending to an outwardly inclined abutment beneath said wall extending between said shorter edge and said bottom, the lower edge of said peripheral flange and abutment forming a base for supporting said receptacle.

14. A receptacle for coins and the like, adapted for placement on a generally horizontal surface, comprising a hollow body supportable in an upright position and having a generally concave bottom; a concave rear wall having a generally semi-ellipsoidal, horizontal rear edge; a longer and a shorter front edge, each of which extends generally in the same substantially horizontal plane as said rear edge and generally angnlarly from each side to a forward, curved merging portion, the general angularity of said shorter edge being greater than the general angularity of said longer edge, each with respect to a line drawn between the points of intersection of said rear edge and said front edges; a front wall extending from each said edge to the bottom of said receptacle and the general inclination of said wall, relative to the horizontal, between said longer edge and said bottom being greater than between said shorter edge and said bottom; said rear wall having a slot therein opposite said shorter front edge and open at the top; said receptacle having an integral chute provided with an open-top passage connecting with said slot, said passage adjacent said slot extend ing in a direction toward said shorter edge and said chute being adapted to be connected with a change making device; and a peripheral flange extending downwardly from is. and integral with said longer front and rear edges and extending to an outwardly inclined, concave abutment beneath said. wall extending between said shorter edge and said bottom, the lower edge of said peripheral flange and abutment forming a :basefor supporting said receptacle.

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